Newspaper article written by Fanny Fern for the New York Ledger, which criticizes Thomas Butler Gunn without naming him. Transcription: A SOCIAL NUISANCE. If there is a nuisance it is your boaster; a fellow whose stock in trade is his chance acquaintances with people of note, male or female; who speaks of them in the most familiar manner, ?as if he were on the most intimate terms of friendship ?on all occasions and without occasion; ?calling a lady impertinently by her given name, in a saloon or restaurant, that his gaping auditors may infer on what a delightfully free-and-easy footing he sta
Newspaper article written by Fanny Fern for the New York Ledger, which criticizes Thomas Butler Gunn without naming him. Transcription: A SOCIAL NUISANCE. If there is a nuisance it is your boaster; a fellow whose stock in trade is his chance acquaintances with people of note, male or female; who speaks of them in the most familiar manner, ?as if he were on the most intimate terms of friendship ?on all occasions and without occasion; ?calling a lady impertinently by her given name, in a saloon or restaurant, that his gaping auditors may infer on what a delightfully free-and-easy footing he stands with her; quoting more times than there are seconds in a year, the one time in which he might by some accident have appeared in public with her; endorsing the same with knowing looks and grimaces, and ?ǣyou understand, my dear fellow, ? to the great astonishment of some far-off worshipper of the lady, who, too modest even to seek an introduction to her, innocently-exclaims, with uplifted hands, looking at the ill-bred, boasting pigmy before him, ?ǣHe [Thomas Butler Gunn] an intimate friend of hers! Lucky escape! ? The harm such creatures may do, where this species of viper are not understood, may be easily guessed. I say ?ǣviper, ? because such a fellow will not hesitate the sting, even while fawning; he will meanly solicit favors which your good nature grants, to repay them with shrugs and innuendos behind your back, where he thinks he can do with safety to himself. Every one who has made a success in the world has been bored and imposed upon by this sort of people. Lucky if the impertinence they return for your kindness has not so disgusted the person sought, as to make him or her suspicious of every new introduction. Lucky if it do not compel the naturally trusting, generous heart to miserly pittances of geniality and social feeling. Nevertheless, if you discover that such fellows have passed your threshold, show them the shortest way over it; they were always ready t
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